Liz Crowley Announces $100,000 War Chest

Councilwoman Liz Crowley, who’s competing for the Democratic nomination in a northeastern Queens congressional seat, announced an impressive $100,000 fundraising haul considering she announced her campaign just ten days ago.

“Support for Elizabeth Crowley is growing rapidly because people believe we need an independent voice for Queens neighborhoods in Congress,” her campaign’s spokesman, Eric Yun, said in a statement this morning. “No one will run a more competitive campaign.”

Ms. Crowley is battling perceptions that her campaign is a third wheel in a Democratic primary dominated by Assembly Members Rory Lancman and Grace Meng, and showing serious fundraising chops is certain to help.

Mr. Lancman, who was previously campaigning against Republican Congressman Bob Turner before redistricting changed his aims, told The New York Times he had raised $130,000 two months ago, seems likely to post a strong number by the April 15th reporting deadline. Ms. Meng is also a successful fundraiser, evidenced by the $1 million she has in her State Assembly campaign account (which isn’t transferable to her congressional efforts).

Whoever wins the June 26th Democratic primary will face off against GOP Councilman Dan Halloran in November.